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Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Jan. 3, 2026.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Tapioca pearls
Answer: BOBA
5A clue: Disappear into thin air
Answer: VANISH
7A clue: “C’mon, we expect more from you”
Answer: DOBETTER
9A clue: Dangerous, as a winter sidewalk
Answer: ICY
10A clue: Social media ___ (what we’re in now)
Answer: ERA
11A clue: Feeling down
Answer: SAD
12A clue: Director Howard
Answer: RON
13A clue: Nightlife for which Miami is famous
Answer: CLUBBING
16A clue: Cause of early aging
Answer: STRESS
17A clue: The sun in “sunnyside up”
Answer: YOLK
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: New parent’s reason for canceling plans
Answer: BABYDUTY
2D clue: 4/4
Answer: ONE
3D clue: Fraction of a byte
Answer: BIT
4D clue: Symbol next to a tainted record
Answer: ASTERISK
5D clue: Singer’s contribution to a song
Answer: VOCALS
6D clue: Long-necked birds
Answer: HERONS
7D clue: ___ golf
Answer: DISC
8D clue: Sounded, as a doorbell
Answer: RANG
14D clue: “Dude!”
Answer: BRO
15D clue: ___ Air (neighborhood in L.A.)
Answer: BEL
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Source: CNET
